The Need for Disruption

This month four years ago I started a company. For the better part of two years, I worked by myself out of our house in Magnolia, Texas. Today our multi-company organization employs almost 20 people and we’re serving more than 50 clients from across North America. Of all the thoughts that come to mind as I consider the past four years, “disruption” seems to be a common theme. From my perspective disruption is a willingness to do things differently – a willingness to challenge the status quo.

I have two goals in your reading this article. First, I want to challenge you to be disruptive. Choose to be different. Secondly, if you are part of an organization, (i.e., business, church, non-profit, etc.) that is unwilling to be disruptive – leave. Surveys of U.S. workers tell us that more than half of all employees don’t like their jobs. My question is why in the world would you waste your life doing something you don’t enjoy? Being dissatisfied is OK for a while, but I know people who’ve been miserable most of their careers. That’s crazy.

I’m not necessarily encouraging you to start a company as I’ve done (that’s a little crazy in and of itself!); however, I do encourage you to join an organization that is willing to be disruptive. Disruptive companies have always been the definite minority, but they do exist. In building a framework for transformation I’d like us to consider four aspects of disruption: thinking, doing, creating, and being.

• Thinking: The desire to disrupt starts in the mind. It is often fueled by a recognition that “something’s not right” and usually manifests itself in the form of dissatisfaction.?For me reading plays a critical role in my thinking process. I love to read and am typically reading four or five books. I read a wide range of books including topics covering business strategy, management, leadership, and history. I also read through the Bible every year and am involved in multiple Bible studies. God made my mind and I want His help in using it. I also enjoy journaling and appreciate having a place to collect my thoughts and ideas.
• Doing: I once read “speech lies somewhere between thought and action and is often a substitute for both.” Most of us are either dreamers or doers and ironically, the two have a lot in common. However, doers are willing to put themselves on the line and risk potential failure. I have three thoughts for those considering “doing” something. First, seek wise counsel. There is no substitute for getting advice from someone who’s been there and done that. An ounce of good advice can save you from a pound of trouble. Secondly, make a plan that considers the pros and cons of any action you plan to take. For me starting a company had a few downsides, but the upsides were significant. What I’ve learned is that many of the things about which I was concerned never really materialized. Finally, and this is very important – JUMP! Like a young paratrooper leaping from a C-130 airplane for the first time, nothing happens until we act. It’s also where the exhilaration in life takes place. Most people never have the guts to jump – don’t let that be you.

An ounce of good advice can save you from a pound of trouble.        

• Creating: Somewhere between thinking and doing lies creating. The beauty of creating concepts in your mind is they cost you nothing financially. I have a naturally creative bent and enjoy the process of creating things in my mind. Much of what we’re currently doing in our “ADV family of businesses” started in my mind as far back as 10 years ago. What’s even more exciting is seeing some of the brilliant people in our organization develop their own ideas and our working together to bring them to fruition. This is transformation. Over the past decade I have found myself extremely frustrated with people and organizations who are unwilling to change and content with the status quo. If you are going to make a difference in the world, you’re going to have to be creative.
• Being: This is where the “rubber meets the road” and is the culmination of thinking, doing, and creating. To be disruptive means we must decide to be different.?Disruptive people make a difference because they decide to do something by choice. However, here’s the warning – disruptive people always face opposition. Being different makes a certain percentage of people uncomfortable and if you make them uncomfortable enough they’ll try to take you down. Trust me, it’s not fun. I currently know several companies that are in the process of going out of business because they’re doing the same thing they’ve done for the past decade. When leaders fail to innovate and are unwilling to at least entertain disruptive ideas, they are dooming their organizations to eventual failure.

When leaders fail to innovate and are unwilling to at least entertain disruptive ideas, they are dooming their organizations to eventual failure.        

Here’s the bottom line – the continued successful growth of our societies depends on a willingness to follow the disrupters; those people who see the world differently and are willing to challenge the status quo. As I stated at the beginning of this article, if you are discontent because you are part of a company that is unwilling to change, seriously consider leaving. Life’s too short. A willingness to pivot and learn from the past is a hallmark of a growing company. Transformation occurs when organizations embrace a “culture of change” through thinking, doing, creating, and being disruptive. Choose to be different!